Disclaimer: Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon and all related chara belong to Takeuchi Naoko-sensei, TOEI Animation, Kodansha and blahblahblah. Kanata Kara and all related chara belong to Hikawa Kyoko-sensei and blahblahblah. However, the plot of this story is mine. Should I see you use this idea... you'd be truly in trouble!A million thank yous to Toyak (this chapter is especially for you!), Nighthawk, Sharon, Dyah and all fans of Izark!
P.S.
I know on the drama CDs, Noriko calls Izark as 'Izaku'. But since it'd be too confusing if I also use that...
well, let's just assume that Noriko and the others call him 'Izark', okay?
Far Away Destiny
Chapter 3 : Mezame...Tenjoki
by Silver Wind
http://suiko.net/lain"Dinner's ready!" Makoto announces cheerfully.
"Well," Michiru looks at her plate, "that looks really delicious!"
"All credits go to Mako-chan!" Noriko giggles, "Without her, I don't know what this dinner would be!"
For the first time since they got to their camp, Izark smiles slightly. He holds Noriko's hand for a split second. She blushes and smiles at him too.
Haruka notices it with a great interest, 'It's amazing how his expression would soften and his eyes looking at her gently.'
Minako approaches Usagi cautiously. She gives Usagi a plate wordlessly and then she kneels beside her and Mamoru.
"Princess," Minako whispers, looking around to see if anyone is listening to them.
Usagi raises one eyebrow, "Something wrong, Minako-chan? You look worried!"
"Minako-chan, what's bothering you?" Mamoru observes her face closely.
"Princess, Prince," she continues, "are you planning to tell Noriko-chan and Izark who we really
are?"
"What do you mean?" Usagi inquires further.
Mamoru sighs, "I believe Minako-chan doesn't want Noriko-chan and Izark to know that we are not ordinary human beings. But why?"
She lowers her gaze and softly answers, "I'm afraid that they're our enemies..."
"Minako-chan...," the princess sighs, "you seem to like her a lot!"
"I do like her, Usagi-chan!" she looks up at the night sky, "but there's something about her and Izark... something very powerful... an awesome strength!"
"You're not the only one who feels that...," Mamoru slowly replies.
"Nani?" Minako and Usagi ask in unison.
The prince points his chin at a figure who's a bit apart from the other, "Rei-chan also seems quite troubled. And she feels something too, I guess."
Usagi, Minako and Mamoru exchange glances. Mamoru raises one eyebrow and looks at Minako questioningly.
The leader of the Senshi rolls her eyes heavenward, "Very well, Prince. I'd talk to her."
Mamoru chuckles, "Arigato, Venus. I really appreciate it."
Minako shakes her head and mutters something under her breath. Then she grins and leaves them, sitting next to Hotaru and Ami.
"Mamo-chan," Usagi begins slowly, "somehow, I'm glad ChibiUsa-chan is not with us... I'm... afraid... things are going to be different this time..."
Like he did earlier, once again he puts his index finger on her lips gently, "Not another word, Usa. Don't ever let that thought enter your mind, okay? We have made it so far... there's no reason why we can't make it now. You're tired, aren't you? Try to sleep, okay? I'm here beside you. Don't be scared."
She closes her eyes and smiles, "Aishiteru, Mamo-chan..."
Izark kneels beside Noriko and puts more woods into the fire. She turns to look at him.
"Are you all right?" she asks with concern in her voice, putting a hand over his forehead,
"Izark, are you ill?"
He takes her hand and squeezes it lightly, a real smile forming on his handsome face, "I'm fine, Noriko. Believe me."
Noriko blushes furiously and casts her gaze downward, "I'm glad... where are we going to go tomorrow?"
"First, I have to get some means of transportation," he glances at the scattered figures behind him.
"I miss Aunt Garya," she says suddenly, a sad smile on her lips, "And also Gina..."
"I know," he smiles again, "That's why I didn't object when you ask /them/ to travel with us."
"Are you really all right with this?" she looks at him shyly.
He nods, "They can take care of themselves. Although their appearances don't say anything, I believe they all are warriors, and very capable warriors. Especially Mamoru and Haruka."
"Are you going to go alone tomorrow?" she asks again, "Can I go with you?"
"Noriko, I have said to you that the only person who can take care and guard you is myself," his eyes soften, "I will stay by your side always. Of course you can go with me tomorrow. I will also ask one or two of them to go with us."
She slowly, shyly, touches his hand, "Thank you, Izark."
"Go to sleep now," he kisses her forehead lightly, "Good night and sweet dreams."
Almost at once, Noriko has gone asleep. Izark looks at her for a few moments, a gentle smile on his lips. Then he sits right next to her sleeping form.
"Are you going to guard us all night?" a deep voice asks.
He doesn't even bother to look, "Yes. You can sleep now, Haruka."
"It's not fair," she goes to sit a few feet from him, a quirky grin on her face, "Why don't you sleep now. I'm not tired. I will stay awake and watch over us. And when I'm tired, I will wake you up. That's what I call fair!"
Izark looks at her, raising one eyebrow, "Are you sure?"
She shrugs, "Absolutely. Or you haven't trusted me yet?"
"Very well," he looks at her straight in the eyes, "Don't hesitate to wake me up."
"Sure," she winks, pointing at her sheathed sword, "Don't worry... I'm as much a warrior as you are!"
Finally he smiles a little, "I don't doubt that. Good night, Haruka."
"Good night, Izark," she turns her glance to the fire.
He lies down beside Noriko and watches Haruka for some times. Haruka pretends not to notice him. She looks up into the dark heavens and the stars.
'The same stars... the same moon,' she smiles to herself, 'at least some things are not different
from my own world...'
Haruka sighs and looks at each of her sleeping friends. Mamoru and Usagi, side by side and holding hands. She
grins and shakes her head. Then to Michiru, next to herself. Lightly, she carresses the aquamarine hair. Before she knows it, a few hours have passed and she feels her eyes getting heavy by the seconds.
She kneels right next to Izark and shakes his shoulder gently, lowering her voice so she won't wake everyone up, "Izark... can you replace me?"
Instantly, Izark's eyes snap open and he nods, "Yes. You can go to sleep. I will watch over us."
"Arigato," she lies down and closes her eyes.
Mamoru slowly opens his eyes and looks around him. His princess is still sleeping peacefully in his embrace. Gently, he unwraps his arms from her body and stands up, stretching his stiff muscles.
"You woke very early."
The Earth prince spins around sharply to look at a pair of piercing black eyes.
"Ah, good morning, Izark," Mamoru smiles.
He just nods, "Morning."
An uneasy silence passes between them. Mamoru looks down at Usagi to distract his attention.
"I will go to get us a carriage and maybe a couple of horses," Izark explains flatly, "I want to ask two of you to go with Noriko and myself."
"Mamoru-san," Haruka says from behind them, "Allow me."
He gives Haruka a doubtful look, "I think I should go..."
"No," she grins, "Let me go. Usagi-chan needs you."
"Very well," Mamoru finally agrees, "Who's the other one?"
"I want to go," Rei stands right next to Haruka and shoots Izark a challenging look, "If it's all right for everyone."
Haruka shrugs, "It's all right for me!"
"Suit yourself," Izark replies coldly, "We will go after breakfast."
The tall woman laughs quietly and leans towards Rei, whispering in her ear, "What a charming man..."
Rei unsuccessfully tries to suppress a chuckle hearing that. Izark shoots them both a glare and they smile as innocently as they can at him.
"This is a nice little village," Haruka comments, looking around her in curiosity.
"Little and quiet, yes," Izark replies, "But at least it has what we're looking for."
Noriko points at a kind of stable in front of them and laughs at Rei, "I'm glad we've arrived! My feet are killing me!"
"You could've told me," the tall warrior gives her a small smile.
"What would you've done?" she giggles, "carry me on your back?"
He blushes a little and looks at another way quickly. They've been walking for about an hour from their camp. Izark and Haruka seem to be just fine about it, but the other girls look exhausted.
Haruka clears her throat meaningfully and grins, "Okay... what are we doing here?"
Izark turns at her, eyes and face once again cold, "Noriko and I already have had a horse. How many would you need, Haruka?"
She bites her lower lip thoughtfully, "Well, Michiru and I can use one... Mamoru-san and Usagi-chan would share one too... the rest of the girls can use the carriage, don't you think, Rei-chan?"
Rei nods, "Hai. Except for Mako-chan, maybe, most of us can't ride horses."
"Very well," Izark takes Noriko's hand and pulls her inside the small store, "a carriage and
four new horses."
"Uh, Izark," Haruka stops him, "Do you have the means to acquire them?"
"To tell you the truth...," he answers calmly, "I will have to think of some ways to do so."
"Never fear, Haruka-san," Rei laughs and opens her clenched fist, showing some glittering objects in it, "I suppose this will do just fine."
Noriko's eyes widen, "Jewels! Where did you get them, Rei-chan?"
"In my pocket," she answers, smiling at their disbelieving faces, "Sugoi, ne? I couldn't believe it myself!"
"Well, if Ami-chan could find her computer in her pocket," Haruka chuckles, "I suppose you can find those jewels in yours as well, Rei-chan."
Rei puts the valuable stones in Noriko's hand, "Here, Noriko-chan. You can use this to buy whatever we will need."
Izark puts his arm around Noriko, "Very well, then. Noriko, come. Haruka, Rei, wait for us here. We won't be long."
A wicked grin appears on Haruka's lips, "Oh, it's fine, Izark... you can take your time with Noriko as long as you like..."
Izark raises one eyebrow, but his cheeks are flushed slightly and he shoots Haruka a dry look. Noriko's face turns very red and she gives a nervous laugh. He pulls Noriko inside the store, finally. Haruka also turns red for a different reason. She is laughing so hard that she has to grab the wall for support.
Rei shakes her head, laughing as well, "You know, that's naughty..."
"Kami-sama, this is even more fun than teasing Usagi-chan!" she exclaims, her whole body shaking with laughter.
"Just watch it," Rei grins, "Izark could freeze you just with his glare alone!"
She shrugs casually, "He could try to do so... I'm not afraid of him!"
"Come now," the priestess shakes her index finger at her fellow Senshi, "granted, he's cold and there's something weird about him... but I can feel that he's a nice man..."
"I know that," Haruka says defensively, but then she laughs, "Okay, okay... I won't tease them anymore. Take away all my fun, Rei-chan!"
Rei only rolls her eyes heavenward, a smile on her own lips.
"Rei-chan," Haruka's face turns serious, "Do you know what has brought us here?"
"Iie," she sighs, "Correction, haven't known yet. But whatever or whoever it is, it wants us to do something here in this world.
Just the same as Noriko-chan."
"Perhaps we have to help Noriko-chan to return to our world?" Haruka suggests softly."Haruka-san...," Rei turns to look at
her, "perhaps it is the reason... but have you thought about..."
"Izark?" she finishes, "Even though we only met them last night... I'm convinced that Noriko-chan is deeply in love with Izark. And he with her... but they are from two different worlds, Rei-chan..."
"That is correct," she agrees, "But do you remember that Usagi always says that love prevails over everything and anything? Who knows what would happen, right?"
"Well, one thing for sure, we have to stick with Izark and Noriko-chan... or I don't think we would survive in this strange world,"
Haruka chuckles lightly, "Even though we're Senshi!"
"I guess we've been destined to meet them and help them to achieve whatever it is that's expected from them, then," Rei smiles again, "I hope we can finish it soon, and then we can go back to our world!"
Izark and Noriko step out of the store with an aging tall man.
"You two are friends of this couple too?" he smiles at the two girls, "I am Doma, the owner of this stable. Come, let's see the
horses. You can choose yourself there."
Haruka winks at Rei and follows him, "I am Haruka, Doma-san."
"Nice to meet you, Haruka. And who is that lovely lady?" he looks at Rei, "Your wife? My, husband and wives are getting younger and younger these days..."
Noriko bursts out laughing and Haruka only rolls her eyes heavenward. Even Izark smiles a little, seeing the blush on Rei's face.
Doma gives them a blank look, "What did I say?"
"Ahem," Haruka coughs and grins, "I am a female, Doma-san."
It's his turn to blush, "Oh my! Young lady, please forgive me! This old man makes a fool of himself, truly!"
"No, Doma-san, it's all right," she laughs, "People always think of me as a male. You are not to blame."
"Then you and this young lady are not a couple?" he raises one eyebrow and looks at Izark and Noriko, "What about you two?"
Before they both can open their mouths, Haruka answers first, "Oh yes! They are a couple!"
The old man chuckles and nods. Rei giggles behind her hand when she sees the look Izark is giving
Haruka.
'If looks really could kill, Haruka would be dead by now!' she says to herself.
"There! You see, young ones, my horses are the best there are," he stops and points at the animals behind the fence proudly, "Just choose any of them that you like. It doesn't matter. They are equally good!"
Rei throws Haruka a helpless look. The tall woman only raises her hands in defeat.
"Izark, would you choose for us?" she grins sheepishly.
He shrugs, "I suppose."
Rei moves to Noriko's side and whispers to her, "Noriko-chan, are you happy in this world?"
She looks at the priestess in surprise, but then she smiles shyly, "Rei-chan... I miss my family, I miss my friends, I miss our world. But, to tell you the truth, I'm happy here. Granted, it's different and plain weird sometimes... but..."
"You have Izark," Rei smiles in understanding.
"Hai," Noriko looks at Izark, a sweet smile appearing on her face, "I don't want to leave him. I want to be with him, always."
"I think that's very obvious for everyone to see that," Haruka joins in.
"I don't know why I'm telling you this," she fixes her eyes on the tall warrior, "I just... feel that you would understand how I feel."
"Oh, we understand. Perhaps more than you think," Haruka laughs, "But Usagi-chan is the best of us... she'll know exactly what's in your heart."
"Young ones, I think he's waiting for you now," the old man calls them from behind the fence.
Izark steps outside the stable, "Haruka, can you give me a hand here?"
"Hai, absolutely," she takes over two of the horses from him, carressing the soft fur, "Hello there, friends."
"Well, I have to ride on the carriage," Izark smiles at her, "Can you handle these two?"
"No problem," she smiles back, "Just worry about the carriage!"
"Are you doing well, Haruka-san?" Noriko asks with a worried tone.
She looks at Noriko and winks, expertly handling her horse with one hand and the other hand keeping the second horse under her control, "You can see for yourself, Noriko-chan!"
Rei looks up at the sky, "We should get back soon... the others would be worried!"
"And that we will do now," Izark replies calmly, "With horses, we shall be there in no time."
Suddenly Rei hisses and her whole body tenses. The others turn to look at her in confusion.
"Rei-chan!" Haruka shouts, "Is...?"
"The princess and the prince is in danger!" she growls, "We have to be there!"
"The princess? The prince?" Izark narrows his eyes, "Who...?"
Haruka cuts him, already ordered her horse to run as fast as it can, "Questions can come later, Izark! We have to go!"
Noriko bites her lower lip and touches his hand softly, "Izark, I feel something eerie..."
"Onegai! Just make us get there soon!" Rei clenches her fists in frustration.
"As you wish," Izark starts to speed the carriage, questions and suspicions still raging in
his mind.
'I hope nothing happens,' Noriko closes her eyes.
Before the horse stops, Haruka jumps down from it and unsheaths her sword. She sprints to the battle scene in front of her. About 20 men, all armed and vicious-looking, are circling Mamoru and the girls.
"Where are the Mezame and the Tenjoki?" one of them asks.
"Who?" his own sword in his grips, Mamoru growls back.
Haruka jumps high, does a sommersault and stands in front of Mamoru, "What are you doing to my prince and princess?"
"Haruka-san!" Usagi exclaims in surprise.
None of them realizes Haruka has returned before she made that performance.
"Here comes another one," a young man with cat-like eyes snort, "All of you don't stand a chance with us! Where are they? Tell us before we kill you!"
"Do you really think you can do that?" the leader of the Senshi smirks.
The cat-eyed man gives a sly grin, "What can you, 8 women and 1 man, do to us, hmm?"
"Oh, but we can do THIS!" Minako extends her hand and the Love Chain appears, "Venus Love And Beauty Shock!"
The men all stare dumbfounded at the blinding yellow light charging at them. The chain strikes 3 of them, making them unconscious.
"Ah, I know our power wouldn't let us down!" the Senshi of Beauty and Love laughs, "Even without our Senshi forms, they still obey us!"
Makoto smiles wickedly, "That means I can do that also! Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
The blue sky stays blue, but a lightning blazes and strikes the ground, electrifying another two.
"How did you do that?" their enemy stammers.
"Why would we want to answer that?" Haruka smiles coldly and raises her sword, "Space Sword
Blaster!"
The cat-eyed man casually jumps and avoids the energy blast. Then he spots Izark and the carriage.
"There he is! The Tenjoki!" he speeds towards the carriage.
"Not so fast!" Michiru holds her Deep Aqua Mirror with one hand, "Submarine Reflection!"
He sommersaults and dodges her attack, "How! This is sea water! How did you do this!"
Izark jumps down from the carriage and calmly walks towards them.
"Keimos, just what are you doing here?" Izark stands in front of him defiantly.
Keimos, the cat-eyed man, laughs, "Hello again, Izark... where's your cute Mezame?"
He slowly unsheaths his sword, "I don't want to fight with you..."
"Oh, but I do!" he sneers, "I want to defeat you, Tenjoki! And not to mention, Lord Rachef wants you and your Mezame, badly! I will win this time!"
"We'll see about that," Izark glances at the others, "Don't interfere with this."
"Izark, where's Rei?" Usagi asks.
"Safe, with Noriko," he replies, "now please, just take care of those thugs. Keimos is my part!"
"Gladly!" the wind starts to blow sharply around the two of them.
Keimos opens his hands, "I've become stronger ever since our last meeting, Tenjoki... You are mine this time!"
"Prove it," Izark answers coldly.
"Haruka!" Michiru hugs her.
"I'm all right, Michiru," she smiles and carresses the aquamarine hair.
"Haruka-san, where are Rei-chan and Noriko?" not taking his eyes off the thugs, Mamoru whispers.
She glances at him, "I don't know, my Prince. But I believe Izark has asked Rei-chan to stay with Noriko."
"They're calling him Tenjoki and Noriko Mezame," Ami says from behind them.
"'Sky Devil' and 'Awakening'?" Setsuna asks, "By all the gods, that's what Rei-chan said to him! He's the darkness and Noriko-chan is the one who awakens him!"
"Nani?" the others say in unison.
Minako nods seriously, "Hai. They want his power... and in order to acquire it, they have to have Noriko-chan... to awaken the devil in him!"
"This is even weirder than I thought," Makoto mumbles.
"Save it for later!" Haruka cuts them, a cold glint in her eyes, "It's time to beat all those thugs!"
"Noriko-chan, are you all right?" Rei puts a hand on her shoulder.
She manages to smile, "Hai... I'm just worried about Izark..."
"I'm also worried about my friends," Rei puts a hand under her chin.
"Rei-chan...," Noriko looks at her, "Why did you agree to stay here with me?"
Rei smiles at her, "You would probably think that I'm crazy. But I feel that you have a great power. And together with Izark, the two of you are undefeatable. But he's worried about you getting hurt or something like that. And I'm curious about what strength you possess... I'm crazy, aren't I?"
Noriko stares at her, a look of shock on her face, "Rei-chan... you are not crazy at all..."
"Dead Scream," Setsuna calmly points her Time Staff to the enemies.
"You witches!" one man screams madly and charges towards Hotaru, "This kid will die!"
Haruka watches it without interest, "You really underestimate us, don't you? Well, it's time to pay now."
At that, Hotaru raises her Silence Glaive, "Silence Glaive Surprise Attack!"
The man falls down to the ground and even the bravest of their enemies is scared now. They all exchange glances and step backwards.
"I told you you would pay," calmly Haruka comments.
"Witches," one of them mutters.
Mamoru shoots him a deadly glare, "You also called me a witch? Shimatta!"
"Mamo-chan!" Usagi exclaims in shock.
"Uh, gomen ne Usa," Mamoru blushes, "But... oh, nevermind!"
Although the situation is hardly unlikely for such a thing, they all actually laugh at him.
"Rei-chan!" Noriko screams.
"Stay behind me, Noriko-chan," the priestess glares at the men in front of them, "Mars Flame Sniper!"
The fiery arrow from her hand startles their enemies. But it is not enough. Two men grab Noriko by her hands while the others surround Rei and try to attack her.
"Noriko-chan!" Rei growls, "Mars Snake Fire!"
'Izark! HELP!' mentally, Noriko screams for Izark.
Izark's head jerks up and he almost can't avoid Keimos' attack, "Noriko!"
His number one foe laughs, "So the cute little Mezame has been captured now! Surrender to us, Tenjoki! Or I swear you will never see her again!"
"Noriko!" Izark starts to run so fast he almost flies.
"Come back here, Tenjoki!" Keimos run after him, "We haven't finished yet!"
Izark's mind races with a thousand questions. He told Noriko and Rei to hide in the woods. How could they find that out? And now they have Noriko... and Rei too! He glances backwards and sees Keimos is still following him. Izark growls and a strong wind blows towards Keimos, a force of energy blasting at his chest. The attack catches Keimos by surprise and it strikes him with full force, leaving him stunned on the ground.
'No, no, no! I cannot...,' he feels a dark force starts to well up inside him, 'No! I don't want that form anymore!'
His black hair slowly loses its color, turning to be as white as the chalk. He bites his lower lip and feels his sharp fangs. A vicious horn appears on his forehead.
'It's starting again,' he shivers, looking at the sharp claws on his hands and feet, his shoes have been torned apart, 'No... No!'
He keeps running. But his shirt starts to be ripped apart now, the dark blue scales cover his whole
body.
'Noriko, my pure light.. where are you?'
"Izark! NO!" Noriko screams, feeling him getting nearer and nearer.
"The Tenjoki!" one of the men shouts, "Be prepared for him! Lord Rachef wants him!"
Rei narrows her eyes, "I won't let you do that! Mars Flame Sniper!"
Suddenly a figure appears between them. A tall, muscular figure with dark scales, white hair, a horn on his forehead and wings spreading above him. He glances at Rei, making her step backward. Then he turns to Noriko and her captors, a low growl coming from him.
Noriko tries to break free from the hands that are holding her, "Izark!"
"Noriko," he whispers.
"Izark?" Rei's lower jaw hangs in disbelief.
"Surrender, Tenjoki," the man threatens.
Noriko kicks to her left and right, breaking free and running towards Izark and Rei.
"Izark!" she embraces him.
Gently, he shoves Noriko behind himself, "Stay there, Noriko. Rei, please guard her."
"H... hai," Rei stammers her reply.
Without Noriko in their hands, the men have no advantages over Izark at all, and they know it too. They start to run frantically from him, knowing well that they wouldn't survive if he chooses to fight them.Izark, the Tenjoki, turns back at the two girls. Noriko instantly throws herself to his hands.
"Izark, Izark," she soothes him, "Calm down, Izark... don't be afraid. I'm here for you. Izark... I'm here, I'm here..."
He closes his eyes, "Noriko... Noriko..."
Under Rei's disbelieving eyes, his scale, his wings, his horn, all of it disappears slowly. His hair is once again jet-black and the eyes change into black from the transparent color. Izark is standing there, his arms around Noriko, only with his pants,bare-chested and bare-feet.
"Kami-sama," Rei whispers.
They turn at her. Izark's face cold, "Now you know why they want us so much."
"Hai, I do know," the priestess tries to smile, "But Izark, to tell you the truth, I have felt that you two are very special. I just
didn't know how special you are, until now."
"Now what are you going to do?" he asks.
"I believe that I, and my friends, have been summoned here for a mission," she replies, her calmness returning, "And the mission is involving you, and Noriko. We will help you two to achieve whatever you want to achieve."
"Yes," he says, "You and your friends are special too, are you not? I saw Haruka, Makoto and even Hotaru possess very awesome powers."
"Hai," she smiles, "We are special. But I think that we should talk about this together with everyone else. Shall we return
now? Or is it not safe?"
"Don't worry," Izark finally smiles, "Keimos would not bother us anymore, for now. As for your friends, I'm sure that they are
through with their opponents by now. Let's go back."
"Very well," Rei winks at Noriko, "but who's Keimos, anyway?"
"That's a part of the story too," Noriko grins, "I'm glad you're here to save me, Izark."
He kisses her cheek softly, "I heard your call. Of course I came."
"Umm, you really should tell us everything, and I do mean everything!" Rei looks at them both in curiosity.
"We will," he smiles, "We will."
"Care to begin the story now?" Mamoru asks.
They've gathered together again. The horses and the carriage are ready to be used anytime. When Izark,
Noriko and Rei returned, the other girls and Mamoru had been sit and discussed the whole thing in confusion.
"Well," Noriko begins, "I am the Mezame... the Awakening who's supposed to awaken the Tenjoki, or the Sky Devil. Izark... is the Tenjoki."
"I used to want to kill Noriko," Izark adds, "Because I've known that I'm to be the Sky Devil ever since I was a child. I don't want to bring destruction and disaster to this world. So I didn't want to be awakened."
"Instead of killing me, he protected me... teaching me how to speak in this world's language," Noriko smiles, "I was shocked when I found out that I'm Mezame. I didn't want to see Izark suffered..."
"We've vowed to stay by each other's side," he smiles too and holds Noriko's hand, "Because whoever wants Tenjoki, must have Mezame to awaken me first. And I am the only person in this world who can guard and protect her..."
"Besides, you love each other," Haruka calmly continues, "No wonder you want to be together!"
"Haruka!" Michiru scolds her and hides a smile behind her own hands.
Izark and Noriko blush furiously but don't deny her statement.
"What about you?" Izark tries to distract everyone's attention, unsuccessfully.
"Us?" Setsuna asks.
"How come you all have that kind of power?" he inquires further, "You are not ordinary beings, aren't you?"
Mamoru and Usagi look at each other, then Mamoru smiles, "No. We're Senshi..."
"You're Senshi?" Noriko exclaims, "You're very famous back in Tokyo, right? Then... Mamoru-san, you must be Tuxedo Mask... right?"
"How do you know?" he laughs, "Hai, I'm Tuxedo Mask. Usagi is Sailor Moon, Ami is Sailor Mercury. Rei, Makoto, Minako are Sailors Mars, Jupiter and Venus. Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna and Hotaru are the Outer Senshi, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Saturn."
"Kami-sama," wide-eyed, Noriko stares at each of them.
"What's your cause for fighting?" Izark asks.
"Love, justice, friendship," Usagi replies, a sweet smile on her lips, "But love, above all."
The tall warrior chuckles, "Great causes."
"So, what are we going to do now?" Usagi asks.
Izark and Noriko exchange glances. Izark looks at the Moon Princess, "I know all of you have power, great power. Tenjoki is said to bring disaster... we want to change that. I want to change my destiny. A very powerful man, Lord Rachef, wants us for his own ambitions. We want to stop him and bring peace to this world. Would you all help us?"
A smile appears on Usagi's lips, "You don't even have to ask."
"That means...," Noriko's eyes water.
"Hai, we will help you. We will also try to protect you from that Lord Rachef and Keimos," Minako adds, her tone confident.
"Thank you," Izark smiles.
"I suggest we talk about it further in the morning," Ami raises her hand, "Because we are all tired. We should rest now."
"Hai, tomorrow's a new day," Michiru nods, "Our mission begins tomorrow!"
To be continued in Chapter 4: Rienka, City of Power
Author's note :
Hey... *wide grin* Long, isn't it? To Toyak, I hope
you're enjoying this chapter... :D
Thank you for the J-pop CD and the volume 8 translation. Also, thanks for the Fushigi Yuugi manga!
:D
Please e-mail me! Especially if you have some feedbacks or suggestions!
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